Wonil Hotel Perth
She’s a good looking one, this almost-new build boutique hotel on the banks of the Swan River.
The lobby is spectacular, spacious and filled with deep sofas, casually stacked art books and an Indigenous sculpture work. Rooms and suites are layered with felt, wood and neutral tones, augmented by subtly luxurious details such as artfully carved cupboard handles. And the broad terrace, as well as the rooms that face south, have sunset-splashed Swan River views. There’s plenty of prettiness to be found on the plate, too, at West Kitchen & Bar, which serves an entirely West Australian menu from breakfast to dinner.
Yet good looks are only part of the Wonil Hotel story; there’s a strong feel-good factor as well. Through a unique operating model, net revenue from the property is reinvested back into the Forrest Research Foundation (FRF), which drives research and innovation capacity in Western Australia by awarding fellowships and scholarships to the best and brightest researchers from around the world. The FRF scholars and fellows work across WA’s five universities, with the aim of confronting some of the world’s biggest challenges. A worthy stay, with a worthier cause.
Need to Knows
- 66 rooms (Standard King, Standard King Balcony, Standard King Accessible, Deluxe King River View, Executive King River View, Premium King with River View, Dual Key Executive River View, Dual Key Premium River View).
- Check-in: 2pm; Check–out 10am.
- Limited parking is available on-site with an advanced booking.
- The hotel provides complimentary WiFi and laundry facilities for guests.
What’s there
The Wonil Hotel is a little light on usual amenities on-site; there’s no gym or pool, however guests can access both at The University of Western Australia nearby.
What’s around
The Swan River couldn’t be closer; it sits precisely on the hotel’s doorstep so an early morning or late arvo stroll along the river path is a great use of your time. The waterfront Matilda Bay Restaurant is a quick jaunt across the parklands, and popular for functions and events. Head the other way, and you’ve got all of Kings Park and Botanic Garden to explore.
What’s super special
Although the restaurant doesn’t face the water, the enormous outdoor terrace does – and that’s where you’ll find many guests (and even outsiders) gathering for sunset drinks.
Children
Several rooms can be joined together to sleep up to five, and cots are available on request.
Eating and drinking
West Kitchen & Bar is open for breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, both to guests and visitors. The pitch? All the ingredients, as well as all the wines and spirits, are sourced from Western Australia. Scrambled eggs dotted with tiny marinated peppers, caramelised onion and goat’s cheese put a cool twist on the usual hotel breakfast, while Cone Bay barramundi with a mushroom emulsion and Tuscan cabbage is a strong pick at dinner. Guests can also purchase grab-and-go muffins, sandwiches, sodas and local beers from an always-accessible fridge by the bar. And if you’ve never tried an Akoya oyster, this is the place to do it – the hotel’s owner Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is the man responsible for bringing these unique shellfish to Australian plates. Often cooked, they’re served juicy and fresh here, with a Bloody Mary dressing.
Extra Notes
Having an entirely WA drinks list at the bar is quite the challenge, but the Wonil pulls it off. It’s a great excuse to try local whisky from boutique brands like Limeburners or even small–batch absinthe from The Grove Distillery, alongside a huge range of the state’s finest wines.